”And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allah (He is the ruling Judge).” [1]
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim (rahimaahullaah) said:
This is a clear text regarding the fact that the judgement for all our differing is to be referred back to Allaah alone. He is the Judge in this (affair) through the speech of His Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam). If you were to give precedence to the intellect over Allaah’s Judgement, then you are not (considered as) one who judges by Allaah’s Revelation and His Book.[2]
[1] Qur’aan. 42:10
[2] As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 3/828. See here; Ruling by other than the Sharee’ah: http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/sp.cfm?subsecID=MNJ05&articleID=MNJ050003&articlePages=1
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
What is Dhulm -injustice or oppression? Dzulm [injustice (or oppression)] is of three types according to the people of knowledge (i.e. the scholars):
Firstly: The greatest of them is shirk and why is shirk referred as Dzulm [injustice]? That is because the basis of injustice is to place something in other than its rightful place. And the meaning of shirk is to direct acts of worship to other than its rightful place and this is the greatest injustice – because when they (i.e. the people of shirk) directed acts of worship to other than its rightful place and to those who are not deserving of it, they equated the created (beings) to the Creator and a weak one (i.e. a created being) to Al-Qawiy [The One Perfect in Strength (i.e. Allaah)], who is not unable to do anything. Therefore, is there any greater injustice after this?
The second type of Dzulm [injustice] is committed when a person oppresses himself by committing sins. A sinner oppresses himself because he exposes himself to punishment, even though it is obligated on his to save himself and place himself in an appropriate situation and that is to obey Allaah etc
The third type of Dzulm [injustice] is committed when a person oppresses others (or commits injustice against them) by taking their wealth (unlawfully), or backbiting them, or spreading tales about them, or stealing their wealth, or violating their honour through backbiting, tale carrying, slander, or shedding their blood by way of unlawful murder, or beating them, inflicting injuries, degrading them without right etc [Paraphrased. Source: I’aanah Al-Mustafeed Bi-Sharhi Kitaab At-Tawheed’ page 55-56 by Shaykh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him)]
Verily, we all know that the intent of knowledge is action. Because knowledge is a means and action is the fruits. And if a person does not benefit with his knowledge, then an ignoramus is better than him. And many knowledge based issues are understood by most students, however they do not carry them out, whether it was in (issues of) worship, or dealings with the creation. And this there is no doubt is a deficiency; a deficiency, and a reason for deficiency, meaning deficiency in knowledge. For if a person was to act by his knowledge he benefits and his knowledge increases. So, whoever acts by that which he has learnt, then Allāh will forgive him for that which he did not know.
The meaning of ‘Naseehah’ is Al-Khuloos [purity]. It is said that something is ‘Naasih’ meaning: It is free from deceit. And it is said: ‘Asalun Naasihun’ [Pure Honey]; Labanun Naasihun [Pure Milk]- meaning: Free from deceit and bad mixtures. This is how it is [with regards] to the religion of Islaam, for indeed it is free from every falsehood and deception, cheating and treachery. It is a pure and unadulterated religion. Likewise, the Muslim’s apparent [affairs] are the same as his hidden [affairs]- upon purity and safe from evil manners, treachery, betrayal and other than that. As for the one who cheats, deceives and plots, or his apparent [affairs] are in opposition to his hidden [affairs], this trait is not from the Religion. [Source: An Excerpt from ‘Minhatur-Rabbaaniyyah Fee Sharhi Ar-ba’een An-Nawawiyyah’- page 12]
And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him than his jugular vein (by Our Knowledge). (Remember!) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being after he or she has attained the age of puberty), one sitting on the right and one on the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it). [50:16-18]
Few Reminders from the above Aayaat:
Allaah [The Most High] informed us that He alone created human beings-males and females- and He knows all their state of affairs. He knows everything that is hidden about them and what their own souls whisper to them. Allaah [The Most High] is nearer to them than their jugular veins by His knowledge, even though the jugular vein is the closest thing to the human. Therefore, this should make the human being mindful of Allaah -the One Who knows all the hidden affairs in the soul and heart of the human being in all circumstances. This should also make the human being shy in the presence of Allaah -that he [or she] is not seen committing what Allaah has forbidden or abandoning what Allaah has commanded. [An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’. Slightly paraphrased]
Whatever of mercy Allaah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise. [Soorah Al-Faatir’ Ayah 2]
[مَّا يَفۡتَحِ ٱللَّهُ لِلنَّاسِ مِن رَّحۡمَةٍ۬ – Whatever of mercy Allaah may grant to mankind]- Meaning: the good things of this worldly life and provision; [فَلَا مُمۡسِكَ لَهَاۖ- none can withhold it]. This Aayah notifies us of the fact that none has the right to be worshipped except Allaah, because there is neither anyone who can withhold what Allaah wants to grant [mankind] nor is there anyone who can grant what Allaah wants to withhold from [mankind].
[An Excerpt from ‘Zaadul Maseer Fee Ilmit Tafseer’ by Imaam Ibnul Jawzi (rahimahullaah). slightly paraphrased]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Sufyaan Ibn Uyaynah [rahimahullaah] used to say: Indeed, the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam] is the greatest criterion [i.e. amongst mankind and Jinn] and all affairs are presented to him [i.e. for judgement and judged] based on his manners, path and guidance; so whatever is in agreement with this is truth, and whatever is in opposition is falsehood.
[Al-Jaami Li-Akhlaaq Ar-Raawi Wa Aadaab As-Saami’ page 8]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
The knowledge of Sound Creed
This is the noblest of all affairs of knowledge without exception; the most virtuous and perfect. By way of it, hearts firmly cling to sound creed, [noble] manners are purified and made to flourish, and deeds are perfected. The subject matter is based on the following:
To study that which is obligatory to affirm for Allaah regarding His perfect Attributes and Lofty Characteristics, and that which makes it impossible for Him to be described with deficient and blameworthy attributes, or likening Him to others.
Study that which establishes the fact that Allaah [alone] originated all creation and that He does whatever He wills-whatever He wishes will take place and whatever He does not wish cannot take place.
Likewise, study what is obligatory regarding belief in the Messengers- their qualities and the rights due to them, and that which is forbidden with regards to violation of such rights.
Belief in the Books revealed to the Messengers and in that which Allaah has stated about Himself, and that which His Messengers stated regarding the events of the past and the future.
Belief in the last day, recompense, reward and punishment, the paradise and hell fire, and that which has been stated [in the Qur’aan and authentic Sunnah] related to these affairs.
These are the general affairs of this lofty affair of knowledge. Indeed the Qur’aan has explained these affairs with a profound explanation and clarified it in a manner that is not equal to [its explanation and clarification in] the other revealed books.
”Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the Zalimun (polytheists, disobedients, and wrong-doers, etc.) [3:128]
Narrated Sahl (radiyallaahu-anhu) that he was asked about the wound of the Prophet on the day (of the battle) of Uhud. He said, “The face of the Prophet was wounded and one of his front teeth was broken and the helmet over his head was smashed. Fatima washed off the blood while all held water. When she saw that bleeding was increasing, she burnt a mat (of date-palm leaves) till it turned into ashes and she filled the wound with those ashes and thus the bleeding ceased”. [Saahih Bukhaari. Vol 4. Number: 2911]
It is reported in the Saheeh that one of the Prophet’s teeth was broken and his head was injured (during the battle of Uhud), so he began to wipe the blood away from it, saying: How can a people be successful who cut the face of their Prophet and break his teeth, whilst supplicating to Allaah. So Allaah (The Mighty and Majestic) revealed the Ayah:
[لَيۡسَ لَكَ مِنَ ٱلۡأَمۡرِ شَىۡءٌ-Not for you (O Muhammad), but for Allah) is the decision] [Source: Zaad Al-Ma-aad 3/205-206]
In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said:
The heart does get sick just as the body gets sick and its cure is found in repentance and bring keen [to obey Allaah and the Messenger etc]. The heart does become rusty just as a mirror becomes rusty, and remembrance of Allaah polishes it. The heart does become unadorned just as the body, and fear of Allaah beautifies it. The heart does suffer from discomfort just as the body suffers from discomfort due to hunger, and its food and drink are knowledge and awareness of Allaah, love of Allaah, reliance upon Allaah, turning sincerely to Allaah in repentance and obedience with Tawheed, and carrying out acts of obedience to Allaah. [An Excerpt from ‘Al-Fawaa’id 143’]
